Slot – A Position That’s Making a Big Difference
The slot receiver is a key player in today’s NFL. They give quarterbacks a versatile option when they throw the ball and give their offense an extra blocker when running outside.
They also run a variety of routes that can confuse the defense and confuse their opponents. They need to be fast, have great hands, and have great awareness of the field.
Speed is a huge part of being a slot receiver because they use their speed to fly past secondary players when running go routes and slants, catching the ball as it comes off of the ground. It’s a unique skill that many wide receivers don’t have and one that can make an offense much more difficult to defend.
Hands are another key skill for slot receivers because they need to be able to take a lot of contact. They also need to have great timing and be precise with their route runs and the quarterback’s play calls.
They can also carry the ball from time to time, which helps them in certain pitch plays and reverses that are designed to allow them to get behind defenders in the backfield. This gives the quarterback an easy pass on the fly and can lead to big gains.
While slot receivers are a hot commodity, it is important to remember that they are still a risk. This is because they are not a traditional wide receiver and they may not have as many catches or yards. In addition, they are susceptible to injury.
